Patients' and relatives' experiences of transfer from intensive care unit to wards

Abstract

Aims: This literature review looks at the evidence around transferring patients from intensive care units (ICU) to wards. The literature informs us that patients and their families experience problems when being transferred from an ICU environment and that this increases overall anxiety.

Background: The effects of surviving critical illness often have a profound psychological impact on patients and families This study examines the experiences of adult patients, and their families, following their transfer from the ICU to the ward.

Findings: Five themes emerged from this literature review: physical responses, psychological responses, information and communication, safety and security, and the needs of relatives.

Conclusions: This review reminds us that these problems can be reduced if information and communication around time of transfers were improved.

Relevance to clinical practice: As critical care nurses it is essential that we prepare patients and families for transfer to wards.

Keywords: Critical care; Critically ill; ICU; Intensive care; Intensive care units; Patient transfer; Relocation stress; Transfer and patient experience; Transfer anxiety.